For seven decades, highly efficient raps provided an economical supply of salmon to Alaska's canneries. Industrial salmon traps, however, were controversial, in part because they were considered by some to be a threat to the salmon resource, but largely because they lowered the availability of salmon to Alaska's fishermen and the price fishermen were paid for their catch. The often heated debate about traps extended from Alaska's coastal villages to the halls of Congress.

Alaska Salmon Traps documents trap design, construction, operation and regulation as well as the decades-long effort by Alaskans to outlaw salmon traps.